by Manchester City 2-0 Girona: Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne send Pep Guardiola’s side to a routine victory over their Spanish opponents in a mid-season friendly… just five days before their Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool
- Manchester City picked up a 2-0 win over Girona in their friendly on Saturday
- Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after an error from the visiting goalkeeper
- Erling Haaland then doubled the lead with a poacher finish ten minutes later
- City will next be in action against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday
Manchester City cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win in their winter friendly on Saturday thanks to goals from two of their biggest stars.
Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for the hosts after taking advantage of a Girona keeper error early on, while Erling Haaland doubled the lead ten minutes later with a poacher’s finish.
It was a particularly energetic performance from City’s Belgian playmaker, who had something to prove after a bizarre World Cup campaign that saw him predict his side were ‘too old’ to win the tournament before collapsing in the group stage after scoring just One Goal.
Manchester City won 2-0 in their winter friendly against sister side Girona on Saturday
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after a mistake by the Girona goalkeeper
Norway striker Erling Haaland doubled the lead ten minutes later with a poacher’s finish
Although City were quite happy with the win, fans might have expected a more convincing scoreline given they were 2-0 up on 20 minutes, and Girona came close to coming back into the game late after an excellent run. ‘Alex Garcia, although the final finish was poor.
Rico Lewis, 18, who played the full 90 minutes in one of his first appearances for the club, then spoke about the importance of getting playing time before domestic football returns.
“I think it was pretty good,” he told City’s official website. “They are a good level of opposition.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be next in Premier League action against Leeds on December 28
“With the break and all that, it’s a good game to come in before the Liverpool game and come back to the Premier League. It’s a good game to fill the break.
“It’s going to be a very good game against Liverpool. It’s a very good test against one of the best teams in the world.
The win puts Pep Guardiola’s side in good stead as they prepare for their Carabao Cup clash on Thursday.
They will then return to the Premier League with a trip to Leeds on December 28.
